Which place is cheaper, Islamabad or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Islamabad?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Islamabad? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Islamabad?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, and The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Islamabad €39
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Islamabad is €39. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Riga and Islamabad in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Islamabad €19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Islamabad €38
Compare Hotels in Riga and Islamabad
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Islamabad? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Riga Hotel Prices and Islamabad Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Islamabad €7.16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga - Tallin: Transfer and Tour through beautiful landmarks: $490
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn with Sightseeing: $462
- From Private Transfer to Vilnius with Sightseeing: $429
- From Private Transfer to Tallinn: $344
- Transfer from Riga International Airport to Downtown: $269
- From Transfer to Tallinn with Turaida Museum Reserve: $231
- From Vilnius: One-Way Private Transfer to Riga: $183
- From Cesis and Sigulda Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $151
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $139
- Riga Gun Experience: Roundtrip Transfer and 4 Firearms: $132
- Riga Private Mercedes Benz Airport Transfer: $108
- Private transfer Riga - Hill of Crosses - Riga: $104
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad
Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer: $35
- Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
- Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
- Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
- Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer : $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
- Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
- Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
- Islamabad Round Trip Airport Transfer & Customizable Day Trip: $95
- Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110
- Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Islamabad?
Prices for flights to both Islamabad and Riga change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayRiga €33Islamabad €14
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $42
- Unique Food Tour: $52
- Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $97
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $139
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $140
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $153
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Islamabad €8.84
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- The best of Bauska walking tour: $75
- 1 Day Riga Sightseeing Red Bus Grand Tour: $27
- 2 Day Gastronomy Tour In Latgale : $241
- 2.5-Hour Riga Cruiser Bike Tour: $41
- 5 Hour Shared Tour to Hill of Crosses from Riga: $82
- ATV Quad Off Road or City Tour in Riga: $142
- Art Nouveau Walking Tour in Riga: $65
- Baltic Treasures Tour: Hill of Crosses, Rundale & Bauska: $153
- Beer Bike Experience : $36
- Best of Riga Walking Tour: $182
- Best of Riga Walking Tour - Highlights and Hidden Gems: $66
- City:canal:tour: $22
Tours and Activities in Islamabad
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.
- Islamabad In & Around Full Day Customized City Tour: $80
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour Of Islamabad: $80
- Private Tour: Half Day Islamabad Saidpur Village Exploration Tour: $80
- Private Tour: Hidden Gems of Islamabad Exploration Tour: $90
- Guided Top 5 Wonders Exploration Tour: $95
- Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
- City Tour with Faisal Mosque and Lake View Park: $95
- Full Day Private City Tour Of Islamabad: $99
- Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour With Meal At Monal Restaurant (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
- Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour: $120
- Private Tour: Guided Day Trip To Murree from Islamabad: $130
- From Full Day Guided Taxila Ruins Exploration Tour: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Islamabad €2.69
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $25
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $38
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
- Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $97
- Riga Wine Tasting Session: $103
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $526
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,341
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Islamabad, we can see that Riga is more expensive. And not only is Islamabad much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Riga is in Europe and Islamabad is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Islamabad would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Islamabad and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Riga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Riga than you might in Islamabad.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Islamabad Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Islamabad?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Islamabad, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Riga or Islamabad?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Riga or Islamabad in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Riga as well as Islamabad. Many visitors come to Riga in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
It's very hot in Islamabad this time of the year. In July, Riga is generally much colder than Islamabad. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Islamabad fluctuates around 32°C (90°F).
It's quite rainy in Islamabad. Riga usually gets less rain in July than Islamabad. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Islamabad 32°C (90°F)
Should I visit Riga or Islamabad in the Autumn?
Both Islamabad and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Riga for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Riga is much colder than Islamabad in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Islamabad fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
In October, Riga usually receives more rain than Islamabad. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Islamabad 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Riga or Islamabad in the Winter?
Both Islamabad and Riga during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Riga because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Riga can be very cold. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Islamabad. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Islamabad averages at about 14°C (57°F).
Riga usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Islamabad. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Islamabad 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Riga or Islamabad in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Islamabad. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
In April, Riga is generally much colder than Islamabad. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Islamabad fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In April, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Islamabad. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Islamabad receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Islamabad 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Islamabad and Riga
| Riga | Islamabad | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 32°C (89°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 35°C (94°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 32°C (90°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 31°C (89°F) | 221 mm (8.7 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 31°C (87°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.